‹Anna›

I have to be honest. I never particularly liked my brother, or should I say, Nii.

It is true that the gap of our age is just a year, but by the time I can remember my first memories, he did not seem like he someone who was part of our family. I was very close with Yuka Kei, and so was he with Nii, or he did try to, which was not really in vain. I was very young when I learned about being siblings, but it felt like I only "met" Nii as my brother by the time I was seven.

He was somewhat terrifying. For several years, his expression did not change at all, let alone speak for more than a year. It was the same as when I had great fear in the dark, and whenever I look at him, I was reminded of the exact same fear.

But everything suddenly changed. Just like how my grandparents, Mom, Dad, and Yuka Kei, Nii began to learn how to smile, and he eventually discovered the cry of sorrow. My body moved on its own for some reason. When he smiled, I unknowingly tugged on his clothes regardless of my fears, and I consoled him unconsciously as we share the same suffering for our Grandpa Kinrou's death.

I learned that he was the same as anyone else. Nii has emotions, although scarce. And because of our interests coinciding, we have finally bridged a gap between us. I learned to see him as my brother, and somehow, I enjoyed my time of talking to him and seeing his straightforward emotions once in a blue moon.

But when I was just starting to take grasp of our golden time… I had to move to our relative and study away from my family. And so the time I considered very precious was cut short.

▪ ▪ ▪

Mid-March.

"Ojamashimasu~

Oya?"

"Oya oya?"

Needless to say, Gin had to be in on the meme.

Upon twisting the front door of Gin's house with her right arm carrying the heft of plastic bags from her just-ended trip on the market, she immediately felt that the inside of the abode seems denser than the usual emptiness, or spaciousness of the house that brings out an audible reverb. It however did not take her another second to realize the reason why, as it was obvious right in front of her eyes that the entire Sakato family is currently in Gin's home.

"Uhh… What's cooking?" was her question, and a running greeting in CCI that has become her habit.

And in her attempt to inquire, the owner of the house looked at her with disapproval, "Ojou-san, the ingredients are still raw and on your hand."

The shopping trip Rin did was however the lunch for her family that she is indeed making on this house… as usual.

"Good morning, Nee-chan!"

"Ah, good morning, Anna.

S-Sooooo…?" she extended the length of the sound with the tone of confusion.

"I would guess that the things going on from our house weren't heard from here as loud as it was," Amano started explaining, "We actually cleared out our house early today because our flooring needs an entire redoing."

What appeared to be several days of work to displace various items and furniture from a bungalow became just half a day because of the second son of the family who literally works fast, and so most of the relocation was either done to Gin's house or to the rooms of the family house with lower priority.

The intention of the renovation was caused by an oversight, in which even before the flood steps onto their floor, it quickly showed its age after five years. In that realization, they discovered that they bought the wrong type of tiles—a sensitive, and an inexpensive one—instead of a pricier set to save costs, but comes with artificial treatment to prevent sensitivity from several kinds of weather shifts and other reactions that can perhaps be found in a chemistry class. As a result, the tile adhesive weakened and the underside became rather hollow, hence rising up ever so slightly.

As a solution, they planned to invest more and replace the tiles with a solid floor.

And apart from the speed of Gin's labor comes his strength that scrapes cleanly on the underside of the tiles, while they inevitably shatter with the cringing screech on his unconventional way of "flipping a pancake." But just like any pancake, the first piece is mediocre in appearance.

"…And that's the gist of it."

"I see. Wait, what kind of solid flooring will it be, Uncle?"

"We decided on polished-"

"Matte…!!" Gin butted in.

"You heard him. We'll have a slightly matte concrete to futureproof. No one knows what can happen while the waterways aren't going to be solved definitely."

"Well, I am also planning on doing the same thing here. I've seen how it would potentially look like and I like it better than the granite we're stepping on.

Actually, I just love anything that has a matte texture."

"Yeah… you're definitely a fan of it."

Initially, the idea did not sound right on Rin's mind. While their family house is an older one, she understood it for the practicality, but as for Gin's, it looked very dull with the white walls and neutral-colored furniture.

"…

Scratch that. This is a contemporary house…"

Indeed.

"Imagine how the former owner of the house would think of the shenanigans you're doing here, Potato," Rin chortled.

"Kanbe Hachido will be amused…

I guess I'll start with lunch…! What'll you do on your side, Rin?"

"I'll experiment from my lessons again."

"I'm surprised that all your experiments have been successful so far…"

"You're a rude potato!"

"Hahahaha. Ow."

…

"You're not going to help them, Okā?"

"What do you mean? How can I disturb them like that when our children are this bright?"

"Pfft… I love how you said our…"

"If not technically, am I wrong?"

"Being bright doesn't really describe and suit Nii, Mom," Anna chuckled.

"Hahh… We sure owe Ringo a lot."

"Let's just make Gin do the paying in a later while. I'm sure that it will be worth it," Kei finished as he followed the sequence.

"…

We don't hear you talk like that everyday, son…"

"Who do you take me for?"

"Well, you're our son anyways."

▪ ▪ ▪

March 25; 20:30.

"Hahh… It's as Martin always says, huh. You're always sitting on the roof whenever you have something in your mind."

It was at this time of the night where Gin dismisses himself from the restaurant after the cleaning for closing. As the floor of the family house was still under construction without the swift help of laborer Exiles, the whole family is still living under Gin's roof.

As such, he has always been seen coming home from the restaurant by the whole family, yet he suddenly disappeared after getting changed. Kei had a thought, and thus he climbed up to the roof without the solar cells on. Sure enough, he saw his younger brother sitting with a can on his lip.

"You know… I never really see you drinking a lot."

"Because I don't really. These came from colleagues since they're having a drink somewhere and gave me four cans. Want the other two?"

"Sure. Been a while for me anyways."

With that, the sound of fizzing came after a pop.

"So? Got some problem on mind?"

"Nah… Just had some thought. I'm supposed to be 19 right now and I guess some things still hit me even in this age."

"That might be the last time you're going to talk about youth. I don't know, though. I was already thinking about life at your age right now.

Oh hey. That was three or four years ago? Time flies…"

"Especially for me, it really did. And it's been more than three years since Anna moved back and now she's going to graduate from high school tomorrow, huh…

Hahh… Did I really become an older brother to her I wonder…"

"…

So you actually thank about that stuff, huh."

"Guess I do. But it sure is lame for me to think about these things at this point."

"It certainly do look like that, but it's fine to be lame, you know. I'm always like that in front of Shiina, sadly.

But I get where you're coming from. I think you've finally achieved that role. I can see it from the both of you. Anna also relies on you now and you get the feeling that you want to protect her as her brother.

What, it took you ten or so years, but who cares? I think the time is worth it. You became someone you wanted to be, and you're probably fulfilling the purposes you look for in the process. It's a win-win."

"…"

"I say that all but… Yeah, the only thing I can do is say those things. Even though we're brothers we have very different lines of thought. I don't think as profoundly as you, and you don't think as direct or textbook-like as me. While I'm conventional, you aren't. But in the end, I can still understand you for reasons that we are tied by blood."

"Then, did I actually became a good brother to her…?"

"Ask her that yourself. I'm not you nor am I Anna."

"Man… you're really getting out of character here."

"At least I'm not as emotional as you when I say my thoughts out loud. But I guess I'd be the same as you if I stayed in that room for two years."

"Yeah. I shut off my brain but I continued reflecting without end. It's scary, really. There were times when I was reflecting the exact same thing for probably… what, a hundred days, at least?"

"My word… Imagine five years later and you're saying things like, 'ah, yeah, I was not right in the head ten years ago.'

…

I've heard that marrying Ringo has become definite to you?"

"…! Why bring that up now…?"

"I'm planning on proposing to Shiina this year… and then if things go well, maybe get married next year?"

"Woah. You hold your liquor well, right?"

"I'm serious, you idiot. It's been a few years and we've been economically stable for a while.

But well, I just wanted to say that. I've already talked about this with Dad, though."

"I guess… I hope she says yes."

"Yeah, that's not my point though, sorry. Got a bit off-track.

What I was supposed to ask is… Hypothetically, will you tell your children about your past?"

Gin remained silent and stared at the night sky. After a deep breath, he hoisted the entire three-fourths remaining on his first can.

"…

I suppose I could tell Eiji, but I'm scared about how he'll react."

"Hahahahaha…!! You already have a name thought up, you delusional guy?! Ahahahaha…!"

"Hahh… I keep saying things that I'll regret especially if Rin hears…"

Gin then vigorously looked behind him and below, and not a shadow was seen.

"…this. Phew."

"Hoooo… It's getting late so we better finish this."

"Thankfully the ceremony doesn't start early."

"Wedding ceremony?"

"…After you."

▪ ▪ ▪

The next day.

‹Gin›

"I always find reasons to be back in this high school."

"You're probably the only person in this world that literally studied in one school, Nii."

"You're exaggerating."

«In the corner of his eye, he saw a certain cat unintentionally scaring innocent female students that just want to see him with a glare.»

"Yo. You also came here last year, right, Stardenburdenhardenbart?"

"Mrow! (Can it for a second, Aruji! I'm hurt that they avoided me!)"

"Oh, so German actually works."

~ ~ ~

Anyway, we're not going to bore you with another graduation ceremony after three years of attending one.

Congratulations to my sister for graduating high school.

But I take that I'm not the only brother that is happy, because there's also Naru… and I guess that Jean also is.

"I-I-I'll be in your care from now on…!"

"N-N-No, it's the same for me…!"

Oi, I literally just mentioned him just now! Are you seriously telling me that Jean pulled off a Mato and finally asked out Ai-san, but in front of her family? Apples, congratulations to this merry man too!

And now that I think about it, Anna suddenly disappeared beside me.

"…

Akira-kun~ Where are you~?"

If only you could hear my knuckles popping right now.

…

"So those two finally got together, huh…"

"I'm very happy for Ai-chan."

«Akira and Anna found a place in the crowd to give congratulations and gratitude, and in his silence, Akira stared at Anna without a response or even a word.

Obviously, Anna saw it and stared back, but retreated her gaze as she hides the redness of her cheeks.»

"Let's take our time."

«Slowly, Anna turned back to look up on Akira's face that surprised her with the confident… or content smile upon his declaration.»

"If you don't have work until tonight, why not join us for dinner?"

"Ehh… Is that fine? You're all staying in Gin's place for now, right?"

"We'll probably eat on the lawn tonight because Nee-chan's parents will probably be there too. You're a nice addition.

And also… thank you for telling me that. It's not that I don't like your decision, but I'm reassured instead."

"Your brother and sister will do a Romeo and Juliet on us if it is otherwise."

"I don't want that… Haha…"

~ ~ ~

It felt like the years shaved out of my life came back to me after I heard Akira and Anna's decision. I was very anxious that the news about Jean and Ai-san will affect them, or pressure them. But I appreciate their rationality even in the face of that. I know I've said this so many times, but I commend them for doing what I wasn't able to do.

But that does it for Anna's life in high school, and so the tolerable promise that we made shall be in effect, which brings me a bit more anxiety. I am just thankful that Anna wasn't very rebellious.

But after wondering that the meals in the underground base and our weekly family dinners are blurring the line with how rowdy it got, things have finally pacified for the night. And I found myself rewatching anime with Anna on the living room. Hey, I don't have work tomorrow so I can at least stay a bit late.

With the opening song playing, I grabbed another remote and turned on my weak sauce AC in the living room as it has been getting warm on the night.

"Hey, Anna."

"Hmm?"

"Can I share my thoughts about Jean and Ai-san?"

"Uh, I don't really understand, but sure."

"I don't think that this is actually the case for their new relationship, but this is my take: The decision that they made may have been difficult."

"…?"

"Or it could also be seen as a test for both of them. Jean is working full time, and then Ai-san will go to college which will be a lot harder than high school, and she will be busier. I interpret this as a test because they will have to balance their relationship with work, studies, and even their time to take a rest. The results will solely base on their actions if they will actually work out or not.

And that is why I was rather happy with your decision. To be honest, Anna, I think that you're not yet ready. You just recently discovered your feelings, so I think that it is for the best. You lent us your ear and you learned from it. So thank you for following our advice."

"Things may have been so different without your guidance, Nii. I should be the one showing you my gratitude.

…

It took me 18 years to say this, but… I love you, Nii."

"Can you not make me cry, imouto… I love you too, you know that…?"

"Of course I know."

"…A-Anna… W-Was I a good brother… to you…?"

"…

Of course you are, Nii. Ever since I came back here in Ginga, you were always there for me with Nee-chan. For always hanging on, and protecting me… you've undoubtedly became a great brother to me."

"… *sniff*"

Man… it's been a while since I cried like this.

▪ ▪ ▪

‹Anna›

I have returned definitely in our home after several years… to see an entirely different Nii.

I still felt the same emptiness I felt when we were younger, but I wasn't the least bit frightened with him anymore. He was like a different person, but he was still the same.

But after 14 years of being born, I finally felt Nii's feelings like something that cannot be contained with a lid anymore. In that entire emptiness, a glimmer of life slowly expanded, and I could finally say that I have truly met my brother. I enjoyed every single bit of time I spent with him.

And when he was once again in the verge of disappearing, I despaired. Nii may have shown his weaknesses so many times, but even so, I was still the weaker one… for not trusting him when he needed it the most. But in the end, he persevered to rediscover his emotions and humanity; to never be empty again.

Truly, he is in the middle of black and white—gray, or silver. He is neither bright nor dark, but amidst that, he is still a shadow to someone. Slowly, he finds the answers to his questions and what's behind the purposes of his life. And beyond that, the life that the child had wished for has come to his grasp.